Magnetic building block

Building blocks with magnetic connectors have become popular educational and recreational tools. Embodiments of the disclosed invention address challenges in creating magnetic building blocks that offer both structural integrity and modular assembly flexibility. Some approaches in this field include those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 11,766,622 B1 issued to Chen and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0065007 A1 filed by Klepper. Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a modular structure that can be assembled in a structurally sound manner.

The present invention relates to a magnetic building block comprised of two clamshell components that are mechanically and magnetically joined using an attachment bracket and a system of posts, tubes, corner walls, and magnets. Each clamshell is a hollow, open-sided parallelepiped structure defined by an end wall and four side walls, with each side wall centrally supporting an attachment tube extending toward the open side. The two clamshells are configured to be joined together by an attachment bracket having two opposing sides and four edges, each side bearing centrally located solid posts at each edge. These posts feature a design combining cylindrical elements with paraboloid bases, and are sized and positioned to fit within the corresponding attachment tubes of the first and second clamshells, thereby structurally uniting the clamshells into a single modular unit.

At each corner of the clamshells, corner walls extend from the end wall and adjacent side walls toward the open side to reinforce the structure and serve as anchor points for magnetic coupling. Extension tubes project perpendicularly from each side of the attachment bracket, with each tube supporting a magnet positioned at a corner corresponding to those formed by the clamshells. These magnets enable magnetic connectivity between adjacent blocks along multiple axes and at various orientations.

Each extension tube is a hollow structure of a first height, while each post consists of a solid cylindrical element joined to a paraboloid base of a second, shorter height. The relative heights of these components contribute to stability and modular engagement during assembly.

The outer edges of the attachment bracket are reinforced with peripheral ledges that are more than twice the thickness of the bracket itself. These ledges define first and second structural plates on opposing sides of the bracket, contributing to the structural rigidity and alignment of the joined clamshells by functioning as mechanical stops that prevent over-insertion of the bracket.

Through this combination of mechanical interlocks and magnetic interfaces, the invention enables modular, multi-directional construction with increased stability, alignment accuracy, and compatibility with additional magnetic building components.

By way of example and turning to, embodiments of the present invention relates to a magnetic building blockA configured for secure and modular interconnection with other like building blocksB. The magnetic building blockincludes a first clamshell, a second clamshell, an attachment bracket, and a set of magnetshoused within the attachment bracket.

The first clamshellis a generally hollow enclosure defined by an end wall, a plurality of side walls, and an open sideopposite the end wall. Four corner wallsextend inwardly from the intersections of the side wallsand end wall, each disposed near a corner of the clamshell. These corner wallsprovide structural reinforcement to the clamshell and serve as anchor points for magnetic coupling. Disposed within the interior of the first clamshellare four attachment tubes, each extending inward from the center of one of the side wallstoward the open side. The central positioning of these attachment tubes contributes to proper alignment and connection with the attachment bracket.

The second clamshellis structurally similar to the first clamshelland includes an end wall, side walls, an open side, corner walls, and four attachment tubesarranged in a corresponding configuration. The open sideof the second clamshellis configured to face and align with the open sideof the first clamshellfor assembly.

The attachment bracketcomprises a flat plate body having a first side, a second side, four edges, and four corners. A first structural plateis defined on the first side, and a second structural plateis defined on the second side. The bracketfurther includes four cylindrical posts, each extending perpendicularly from one of the four edges. Each cylindrical postincludes a paraboloid baseand an upper cylindrical segment. This combination of a paraboloid base with a cylindrical segment provides mechanical stability when inserted into the attachment tubes. These postsare dimensioned to be inserted into the attachment tubesandof the first and second clamshellsand, thereby securing the bracketbetween the clamshells.

Each cornerof the bracketincludes an extension tubethat extends perpendicularly from the bracket surface. Each extension tubedefines a cavityconfigured to receive and retain a magnet. The magnetsare positioned within the extension tubessuch that a magnetic pole is exposed consistently across all magnets, enabling attraction to corresponding magnets of other building blocks.

A peripheral ledgeextends radially from each of the structural platesand. These ledgesfunction as mechanical stops, preventing the over-insertion of the bracketinto either clamshellor. When assembled, the ledgesrest flush against the open rimsandof the clamshells, promoting alignment and stability.

Upon full assembly, the cylindrical postsof the bracketfrictionally engage the attachment tubesand, and the extension tubesnest within the respective corner wallsandof the clamshells. The magnetsare thus positioned near the outer corners of the assembled building block, enabling reliable and multidirectional magnetic coupling with other blocks of similar construction.

The components of the magnetic building block may be manufactured from polymeric materials, with the bracketformed from a more rigid polymer for structural integrity. The magnetsmay be rare-earth permanent magnets, such as neodymium, selected for compactness and strong magnetic performance.

In combination, the first clamshell, second clamshell, attachment bracket, and magnetsform a modular, durable, and reusable building block system. The components cooperate to provide ease of assembly, magnetic connectivity, and structural stability, allowing users to construct complex configurations of interconnected magnetic blocks.

As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. In particular, any use of “step of” in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.